What does a robot need to know to harvest and feed fresh grass autonomously?
Ten Dutch farmers told Wageningen Livestock Research which information a robot needs to mow, fertilise and feed fresh grass autonomously. They explored how a largely autonomous robot could be used on their dairy farms. Key considerations included grassland planning, nutritional value, field accessibility, routes and integration into daily farm operations. Within Handsfree Agrifood, the focus is on how technology and farm data can help automate these activities further.
Broad knowledge question
What does a robot need to harvest and feed grass autonomously?
The robot harvests fresh grass, fertilises the field and feeds the grass to cows in one operation. Farmers considered not only the robot's technical capabilities but also the information required for autonomous operation. They named fertilisation data, grassland planning and feed value measurement as conditions for the robot to perform tasks autonomously.
Approach
Ten dairy farmers assessed the potential of an autonomous robot
WUR researchers interviewed ten Dutch farmers about advantages, disadvantages, implementation and required functions. The farms ranged from 35 to 230 hectares and were spread across the Netherlands. Five farmers used the robot for zero grazing. Five other farmers used conventional zero grazing.
Goal
Autonomous operation requires information on grassland, feed requirements and fertilisation
The interviewed farmers named software for grassland planning, feeding strategy and fertilisation strategy as a condition for autonomous operation. They do not want to keep telling the robot where to harvest how much fresh grass or how much fertiliser is needed. The findings provide machinery manufacturers with insights into the functions farmers need, while helping other stakeholders understand the conditions for practical implementation.
Result and reflection
Autonomous feeding requires more than a self-driving robot
In this study, farmers saw the robot as a tool that could help optimise grass production and grass use. They named opportunities to harvest fresh grass in early spring and late autumn when grazing cows is not suitable under the conditions. According to the farmers, practical adoption also depends on farm layout, available routes, regulations and the skills needed to work with the technology.
Successes
Farmers named opportunities to reduce routine mowing, fertilising and feeding work.
According to farmers, harvesting fresh grass with the robot can help when cows cannot graze.
Farmers named the information needed for autonomous control, such as fertilisation, grassland planning and feed value.
The results were presented in April 2026 at the 31st EGF General Meeting in Évora, Portugal.
Learning points
Farmers name software for grassland planning, feeding strategy and fertilisation strategy as a condition for autonomous operation.
Farmers with limited land around the farm say combining the robot and grazing becomes more difficult, especially as long as driving on public roads is limited by legislation.
According to farmers, grazing infrastructure, field paths and route planning help determine whether the robot can operate without damage and with a good route.
Farmers say working with the robot requires a different way of thinking and working on the farm.